Display device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A display device for a vehicle is configured to be mounted in an indoor space of the vehicle and to change a display area. The display device includes a first frame that has a first end configured to be coupled to an interior member of the vehicle, a second frame that has a first end coupled to a second end of the first frame and is configured to be rotate about the second end of the first frame, and a flexible display that is disposed at a first surface of the first frame and a first surface of the second frame and configured to fold to allow a second surface of the first frame opposite to the first surface of the first frame to overlap with a second surface of the second frame opposite to the first surface of the second frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This present application claims the benefit of priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0002807, entitled “DISPLAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE,”filed on Jan. 8, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle display device, and moreparticularly to a vehicle display device that is mounted in an indoorspace of a vehicle and is capable of changing a display area.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may transport a user in a direction desired by the user. A carmay be a representative example of such a vehicle. In some cases, avehicle may include various types of sensors and electronic devices forconvenience of the user using the vehicle.

For instance, a vehicle may include an Advanced Driver Assistance System(ADAS) and a device for autonomous driving.

In some cases, a vehicle may include displays disposed at variouspositions in the vehicle to display a variety of information such asvehicle-to-everything (V2X) information and vehicle information. As thenumber of functions that an occupant can perform through a displayincreases in autonomous driving, various methods may control a displaymounted in the vehicle.

In some cases, a display device mounted in the indoor space of a vehiclemay be used to indicate information about the vehicle to persons locatedoutside the vehicle or to other vehicles.

In some cases, the vehicle display device may be a head-up displaydevice.

Specifically, the head-up display device may include a sensor forsensing collision of a vehicle, a controller for operating an actuatorin response to a sensing signal from the sensor, and a collisionpreventer supported by the actuator and configured to forcibly rotate aholder to guide insertion of a combiner into a case when a hinge isdisengaged from the actuator under the control of the controller,thereby rapidly returning the combiner in the event of a collision ofthe vehicle so as to avoid a collision between the combiner and adriver.

The head-up display device may be rotatable at the installation positionthereof so as to be changed to a closed state as needed, but may notchange the shape of a vehicle display device according to various usageenvironments, for example, thereby changing the area of a displayaccording to the needs of a user.

In some cases, a display device provided in a vehicle may change themode of display according to the current state of an occupant. Forinstance, the display may be automatically divided or merged dependingon whether an occupant is in a vehicle.

In some cases, a plurality of displays may be mounted in a vehicle in asubstantially fixed manner and configured such that only the area of ascreen on which an image is displayed is controlled differentlydepending on the current state of an occupant.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a vehicle display device capable ofchanging the area of a display according to the needs of a user, therebyoptimizing the display function for user convenience as well assupporting the inherent functions of a vehicle.

The present disclosure also describes a vehicle display device forpreventing or reducing deterioration in the display function during thechange in the area of a display according to the needs of the user,thereby stably providing improved user convenience.

The present disclosure further a vehicle display device capable ofadjusting an angle at which a display protrudes upwards with respect toan interior member of a vehicle during the change in the area of thedisplay according to the needs of the user, thereby improving userconvenience by avoiding interference between components.

Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentionedaspects, and other technical aspects not mentioned above will be clearlyunderstood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to one aspect of the subject matter described in thisapplication, a display device for a vehicle is configured to be mountedin an indoor space of the vehicle and to change a display area. Thedisplay device includes a first frame that has a first end configured tobe coupled to an interior member of the vehicle, a second frame that hasa first end coupled to a second end of the first frame and is configuredto be rotate about the second end of the first frame, and a flexibledisplay that is disposed at a first surface of the first frame and afirst surface of the second frame and configured to fold to allow asecond surface of the first frame opposite to the first surface of thefirst frame to overlap with a second surface of the second frameopposite to the first surface of the second frame.

Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of thefollowing features. For example, the display device may further includean elastic part configured to apply tension to the flexible display in adirection toward an inside of the interior member of the vehicle basedon the flexible display being unfolded. In some examples, the elasticpart may include an elastic shaft that protrudes from the first end ofthe first frame into the inside of the interior member of the vehicle, amoving body coupled to the elastic shaft and configured to move in alongitudinal direction of the elastic shaft, a connector that connectsthe flexible display and the moving body to each other, and an elasticbody disposed between the first end of the first frame and the movingbody and configured to apply elastic force to the moving body.

In some implementations, the display device may further include asupport bar that is disposed at an end portion of the flexible displayand extends along a width direction of the flexible display, where theconnector has an end coupled to the support bar and another end coupledto the moving body.

In some implementations, the first frame may protrude upward relative toa surface of the interior member of the vehicle, and the second framemay be configured to be inclined with respect to the first frame.

In some implementations, the display device may further include a firsthinge that is disposed between the first frame and the second frame andconnects the second frame to the first frame, where the first hinge isconfigured to rotate to adjust a coupling angle between the second frameand the first frame. In some examples, the first hinge may include afirst gear disposed at the second end of the first frame, where thefirst frame is configured to restrict rotation of the first gear, asecond gear disposed at the first end of the second frame, where thesecond frame is configured to restrict rotation of the second gear, athird gear engaged with the first gear and configured to rotate relativeto the first gear, and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear andthe third gear, where the fourth gear is configured to transmitrotational force between the second gear and the third gear. In someexamples, the first hinge may further include a first motor coupled tothe third gear and configured to provide driving force to the thirdgear.

In some implementations, the display device may include a metallicbackplate that is attached to a rear surface of the flexible display andfaces the first surface of the first frame and the first surface of thesecond frame, and a magnet disposed at the first hinge and configured toprovide magnetic force to attach the metallic backplate to the firsthinge. In some examples, at least a portion of the first frame isconfigured to protrude from a surface of the interior member of thevehicle, where a protruding angle of the first frame with respect to thesurface of the interior member is configured to vary. The flexibledisplay may be configured to be unfolded in response to the protrudingangle of the first frame being greater than or equal to a preset value.

In some implementations, the display device may include a second hingethat is disposed between the first frame and the interior member andconnects the first frame to the interior member, where the second hingeis configured to rotate to adjust a coupling angle between the firstframe and the interior member. In some examples, the second hinge mayinclude a fifth gear disposed at the interior member, a sixth geardisposed at the first end of the first frame and engaged with the fifthgear, where the first frame is configured to restrict rotation of thesixth gear, and a second motor coupled to the fifth gear and configuredto provide driving force to the fifth gear. In some examples, the secondhinge may include a limiting protrusion configured to limit rotation ofthe first frame.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the flexible display isconfigured to be wound around the first frame. For instance, the firstframe may include a roller disposed at the first end of the first frame,and at least the portion of the flexible display is wound around theroller. In some examples, the first frame may include a portion that isconfigured to be inserted into the interior member and to be exposed toan outside of the interior member based on the flexible display beingunfolded. In some examples, at least the portion of the flexible displaymay be configured to be unwound from the roller based on movement of thefirst frame.

In some implementations, the first frame may include anascending/descending body that is coupled to the first end of the firstframe and disposed inside the interior member, the ascending/descendingbody being configured to move the first frame relative to the interiormember, and a linear actuator that extends along a movement direction ofthe first frame relative to the interior member and defines a movementpath of the ascending/descending body, the linear actuator beingconfigured to transmit driving force to the ascending/descending body.

In some implementations, the display device may include an inputinterface configured to receive input from a user in the vehicle, and anoutput interface configured to output information to the user in thevehicle, where the flexible display has a first area supported by thefirst frame and a second area that extends from the first area and issupported by the second frame. The input interface and the outputinterface may be disposed at positions corresponding to the first areaof the flexible display. In some examples, the input interface mayinclude a touch key or a virtual key configured to be displayed by theflexible display.

In some implementations, a vehicle display device may be configured suchthat a flexible display is foldable in an out-folding manner and suchthat the screen area of the flexible display is changeable.Specifically, the flexible display may be disposed on one surface of afirst frame and one surface of a second frame, and be foldable in thedirection in which the opposite surface of the first frame and theopposite surface of the second frame overlap each other.

The vehicle display device may be configured such that, even when thescreen area of the flexible display is changed, the flatness of thesurface of the flexible display is maintained. Specifically, when theflexible display is unfolded, an elastic part may apply tension to theflexible display so as to maintain the flatness of the surface of theflexible display.

In some examples, the elastic part may apply tension to the flexibledisplay using the elastic force generated by an elastic shaft, a movingbody, a connector, and an elastic body.

In some implementations, the elastic part may apply tension to theflexible display by pulling a support bar disposed at an end portion ofthe flexible display in the width direction of the flexible display.

In some examples, the first frame may protrude upwards above the surfaceof an interior member of a vehicle, and the second frame may be disposedso as not to be parallel to the first frame.

In some implementations, the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame may be adjusted using a first hinge.

In some examples, the angle between the first frame and the second framemay be adjusted by the rotational force transmitted through a firstgear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear, which constitutethe first hinge.

In some implementations, the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame may be automatically adjusted by the driving force suppliedfrom a first motor of the first hinge.

In some implementations, the display device may include a metallicbackplate attached to the rear surface of the flexible display andconfigured to be attracted to the first hinge by the magnetic force of amagnet mounted in the first hinge.

In some implementations, the vehicle display device may be configuredsuch that the protruding angle of the first frame with respect to thesurface of the interior member is adjusted during a change in the screenarea of the flexible display. For example, the flexible display may beunfolded in response to the protruding angle of the first frame withrespect to the surface of the interior member being adjusted to be equalto or greater than a preset value.

In some implementations, the angle between the interior member and thefirst frame may be adjusted using a second hinge.

In some examples, the angle between the interior member and the firstframe may be adjusted by a second hinge including a fifth gear, a sixthgear, and a second motor.

In some examples, the rotation angle of the first frame may be limitedby a limiter of the second hinge.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the flexible display maybe wound around the first frame. For example, at least a portion of theflexible display may be wound around a roller disposed at one end of thefirst frame.

In some implementations, the portion of the first frame that is insertedinto the interior member may be exposed to the outside of the interiormember when the flexible display is unfolded.

In some examples, the flexible display may include an extra portion thatis wound on the roller and configured to be spread corresponding to theexposure of the first frame to the outside of the interior member.

In the some implementations, the first frame may be moved into and outof the interior member by an ascending/descending body and a linearactuator.

In some implementations, an input interface and an output interface maybe disposed in a first area of the flexible display, which is supportedby the first frame.

Implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to theabove-mentioned examples, and other implementations not mentioned abovewill be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from thefollowing description.

As is apparent from the above description, the vehicle display deviceaccording to the present disclosure has the following effects, forinstance.

In some implementations, where the flexible display, which is disposedon one surface of the first frame and one surface of the second frame,is foldable in the direction in which the opposite surface of the firstframe and the opposite surface of the second frame overlap each other,it may be possible to optimally change the screen area of the flexibledisplay according to the needs of the user.

In some implementations, when the flexible display is unfolded, theelastic part may apply tension to the flexible display so as to maintainthe flatness of the surface of the flexible display. Accordingly, whenthe screen area of the flexible display is changed, the display functionof the flexible display may be consistently maintained.

In some implementations, where the elastic part applies tension to theflexible display using the elastic force generated by an elastic shaft,a moving body, a connector, and an elastic body, it may be possible tomore stably apply tension to the flexible display.

In some implementations, where the elastic part applies tension to theflexible display by pulling a support bar disposed at an end portion ofthe flexible display in the width direction of the flexible display, thetension applied to the end portion of the flexible display may be evenlydispersed in the width direction of the flexible display.

In some implementations, where the first frame protrudes upwards abovethe surface of an interior member and the second frame is disposed so asnot to be parallel to the first frame, it may be possible to avoid theflexible display being excessively folded, thereby minimizing damagethereto or deterioration in the function thereof.

In some implementations, where the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame is adjusted using a first hinge, it may be possible for theuser to appropriately adjust the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame according to the needs of the user.

In some implementations, where the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame is adjusted by the rotational force transmitted through ahinge including a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourthgear, it may be possible to more smoothly and easily adjust the anglebetween the first frame and the second frame.

In some implementations, where the angle between the first frame and thesecond frame is automatically adjusted by the driving force suppliedfrom a first motor of the first hinge, it may be possible to more easilyadjust the angle between the first frame and the second frame withoutthe necessity of manual operation by the user.

In some implementations, where a metallic backplate attached to the rearsurface of the flexible display is attracted to the first hinge by themagnetic force of a magnet mounted in the first hinge, it may bepossible to avoid the occurrence of a gap between the flexible displayand the first hinge during the change in the screen area of the flexibledisplay.

In some implementations, where the flexible display is unfolded inresponse to the protruding angle of the first frame with respect to thesurface of the interior member being adjusted to be equal to or greaterthan a preset value, it may be possible to avoid interference betweencomponents during the change in the screen area of the flexible display.

In some implementations, where the angle between the interior member andthe first frame is adjusted using a second hinge, it may be possible forthe user to appropriately adjust the angle between the interior memberand the first frame according to the needs of the user.

In some implementations, where the angle between the interior member andthe first frame is adjusted by a fifth gear, a sixth gear, and a secondmotor, which constitute the second hinge, it may be possible to moresmoothly and easily adjust the angle between the interior member and thefirst frame.

In some implementations, where the rotation angle of the first frame islimited by a limiter of the second hinge, it may be possible to restrictthe first frame from being rotated in an unnecessary direction and thusprevent or reduce deterioration in the usability of the vehicle displaydevice.

In some implementations, where at least a portion of the flexibledisplay is wound on the first frame, it may be possible to secure anextra portion of the flexible display, thereby further increasing thescreen area of the flexible display.

In some implementations, where at least a portion of the flexibledisplay is wound on a roller disposed at one end of the first frame, itmay be possible to easily store the extra portion of the flexibledisplay.

In some implementations, where the portion of the first frame that isinserted into the interior member is exposed to the outside of theinterior member when the flexible display is unfolded, it may bepossible to further increase the height that the flexible displayprotrudes upwards above the surface of the interior member whenunfolded.

In some implementations, where the extra portion of the flexible displaythat is wound on the roller is spread corresponding to the exposure ofthe first frame to the outside of the interior member, it may bepossible to additionally increase the screen area of the flexibledisplay when the flexible display is unfolded.

In some implementations, where the first frame is moved into and out ofthe interior member by an ascending/descending body and a linearactuator, it may be possible to more smoothly and easily move the firstframe.

In some implementations, where an input interface and an outputinterface are disposed in a first area of the flexible display, which issupported by the first frame, the user is capable of more efficientlyusing the input interface and the output interface.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will beapparent from the above detailed description. It should be understood,however, that specific examples, such as the detailed description andthe example implementations of the present disclosure, are given by wayof illustration only, since various changes and modifications within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become apparent from the detailed description of thefollowing aspects in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a vehicledisplay device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a vehicle display device mountedin a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example state in which a vehicle displaydevice is folded.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example state in which a vehicle displaydevice is unfolded.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing an example of a vehicledisplay device.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example arrangement of a first frame and asecond frame of a vehicle display device.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing an example of a first hinge of a vehicledisplay device.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example backplate and an example magnet ofa vehicle display device.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of operation of changing an angleat which the first frame protrudes upwards.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example configuration in which a portion ofa flexible display is wound around the first frame.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of movement of the first frame.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a first frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, one or more implementations of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings, and thesame or similar elements are designated with the same numeral referencesregardless of numerals in the drawings and their redundant descriptionwill be omitted. The accompanying drawings are merely used to helpeasily understand implementations of the present disclosure, and itshould be understood that the technical idea of the present disclosureis not limited by the accompanying drawings, and these implementationsinclude all changes, equivalents or alternatives within the idea and thetechnical scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing example components of an example of avehicle display device 100 according to the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the vehicle display device 100 may include awireless transceiver 110, an input interface 120, a sensor 140, anoutput interface 150, an interface 160, a memory 170, a controller 180,and a power supply 190.

More specifically, the wireless transceiver 110 may include one or moremodules which enable wireless communication between the vehicle displaydevice 100 and a wireless communication system, between the vehicledisplay device 100 and another vehicle display device 100, or betweenthe vehicle display device 100 and an external server. Further, thewireless transceiver 110 may include one or more modules which connectthe vehicle display device 100 to one or more networks.

The wireless transceiver 110 may include at least one of a broadcastingreceiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wirelessInternet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, or aposition information module 115.

The input interface 120 may include a camera 121 or an image inputinterface which receives input of an image signal, a microphone 122 oran audio input interface which receives input of an audio signal, and auser input interface 123 (for example, a touch key or a mechanical key)which receives information from a user. Voice data or image datacollected by the input interface 120 is analyzed and processed as acontrol command of the user.

The sensor 140 may include one or more sensors which sense at least oneof information in the vehicle display device, surrounding environmentinformation around the vehicle display device, or user information. Forexample, the sensor 140 may include at least one of a proximity sensor141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor,a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, anRGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, an optical sensor (for example, a camera 121 or a microphone122), a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer,a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation sensor, a thermal sensor, and agas sensor), or a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, ahealthcare sensor, and a biometric sensor). Further, the vehicle displaydevice disclosed in the present specification may combine and utilizeinformation sensed by at least two sensors from the above-mentionedsensors.

The output interface 150 generates outputs related to visual, auditory,or tactile senses, and may include at least one of a display 151, asound output interface 152, a haptic module 153, or an optical outputinterface 154. The display 151 may be configured as a touch screen byforming a mutual layered structure with a touch sensor or being formedintegrally therewith. The touch screen may simultaneously serve as auser input interface 123 for providing an input interface between thevehicle display device 100 and the user and an output interface betweenthe vehicle display device 100 and the user.

The interface 160 serves as a passage between various types of externaldevices which are connected to the vehicle display device 100. Theinterface 160 may include at least one of a wired/wireless headset port,an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory cardport, a port which connects a device equipped with an identificationmodule, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video input/output (I/O)port, or an earphone port. The vehicle display device 100 may performappropriate control related to the connected external device inaccordance with the connection of the external device to the I/Oconnector or interface 160.

Further, the memory 170 may store data which supports various functionsof the vehicle display device 100. The memory 170 may store a pluralityof application programs or applications that are driven by the vehicledisplay device 100, data for operating the vehicle display device 100,and instructions. At least some of the application programs may bedownloaded via an external server through wireless communication.Further, at least some of the application programs, related to basicfunctions of the vehicle display device 100 (for example, incoming andoutgoing call functions, and message receiving and sending functions),may be installed in the vehicle display device 100 from the time ofrelease. The application programs are stored in the memory 170, and areinstalled in the vehicle display device 100 and driven by the controller180 to perform operations (or functions) of the vehicle display device.

In addition to the operations related to the application programs, thecontroller 180 may generally control the overall operation of thevehicle display device 100. The controller 180 may process signals,data, or information which is inputted or outputted through theabove-described components, or drive the application programs stored inthe memory 170 to provide or process appropriate information orfunctions to the user.

Further, in order to drive the application program stored in the memory170, the controller 180 may control at least some of the componentsdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 . Moreover, the controller 180 maycombine and operate at least two of the components included in thevehicle display device 100 to drive the application program. Forexample, the controller 180 may include one or more processors, acomputer, an electric circuit, a microprocessor, or the like.

The power supply 190 receives application of external power, andsupplies the power to the respective components included in the vehicledisplay device 100 under the control of the controller 180. At leastsome of the above-described components may operate in cooperation witheach other to implement the operation, the control, or the controlmethod of the vehicle display device according to various embodiments,which will be described below. Further, the operation, the control, orthe control method of the vehicle display device may be implemented inthe vehicle display device by driving at least one application programstored in the memory 170.

Hereinafter, prior to describing various embodiments implemented by thevehicle display device 100 described above, the above-mentionedcomponents will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 .

First, the wireless transceiver 110 will be described. The broadcastingreceiving module 111 of the wireless transceiver 110 receives abroadcasting signal and/or broadcasting-related information from anexternal broadcasting management server through a broadcasting channel.The broadcasting channel may include a satellite channel and a groundwave channel. Two or more broadcasting receiving modules forsimultaneous broadcasting reception or broadcasting channel switchingfor at least two broadcasting channels may be provided in the vehicledisplay device 100.

The broadcasting management server may refer to a server which generatesand transmits a broadcasting signal and/or broadcasting-relatedinformation, or a server which is supplied with a previously generatedbroadcasting signal and/or broadcasting-related information andtransmits the broadcasting signal and/or the broadcasting-relatedinformation to the vehicle display device. The broadcasting signalincludes not only a TV broadcasting signal, a radio broadcasting signal,and a data broadcasting signal, but also a broadcasting signal obtainedby combining a TV broadcasting signal or a radio broadcasting signalwith a data broadcasting signal.

The broadcasting signal may be encoded according to at least onetechnical standard for transmitting and receiving a digital broadcastingsignal (or broadcasting schemes, for example, ISO, IEC, DVB, or ATSC),and the broadcasting receiving module 111 may receive the digitalbroadcasting signal using an appropriate method for the technicalspecification determined by the technical standard.

The broadcasting-related information may refer to information related toa broadcasting channel, a broadcasting program, or a broadcastingservice provider. The broadcasting-related information may also beprovided through the mobile communication network. In this case, thebroadcasting-related information may be received by the mobilecommunication module 112.

The broadcasting-related information may exist in various types such asan electronic program guide of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) oran electronic service guide of a digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H). The broadcasting signal and/or the broadcasting-relatedinformation received by the broadcasting receiving module 111 may bestored in the memory 170.

The mobile communication module 112 may include a modem that maytransmit/receive a wireless signal to/from at least one among a basestation, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communicationnetwork established according to the technical standards orcommunication methods for mobile communication (for example, GlobalSystem for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access(CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Enhanced Voice-DataOptimized or

Enhanced Voice-Data Only (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA),Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A)).

The wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video callsignal, or various types of data in accordance with transmission orreception of a text/multimedia message.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wirelessInternet access and may be built in or external to the vehicle displaydevice 100. The wireless Internet module 113 may be configured totransmit/receive a wireless signal in a communication network accordingto wireless Internet technologies.

Wireless Internet technologies may include wireless LAN (WLAN), wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA),wireless broadband (WiBro), Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High SpeedUplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Long TermEvolution-Advanced (LTE-A). The wireless Internet module 113 maytransmit or receive data in accordance with at least one wirelessInternet technology or other types of Internet technologies.

From the viewpoint that the wireless Internet connection by WiBro,HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. is performed through amobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 whichperforms the wireless Internet connection through the mobilecommunication network may be understood as a type of the mobilecommunication module 112.

The short-range communication module 114 may support short-rangecommunication using at least one of Bluetooth™, radio frequencyidentification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband(UWB), ZigBee, Short-range Communication (NFC), wireless fidelity(Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, or Wireless Universal Serial Bus (Wireless USB).The short-range communication module 114 may support wirelesscommunication between the vehicle display device 100 and the wirelesscommunication system, between the vehicle display device 100 and anothervehicle display device 100, or between the vehicle display device 100and a network in which the other vehicle display device 100 (or externalserver) is located, through a short-range wireless communicationnetwork. The short-range wireless communication network may be ashort-range wireless personal communication network.

The position information module 115 may include a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) sensor that is configured to obtain the location(or the current location) of a vehicle display device, and itsrepresentative examples include a global positioning system (GPS) moduleor a Wi-Fi module. For example, when a GPS module is utilized, thevehicle display device may obtain the position of the vehicle displaydevice using a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. As anotherexample, when a Wi-Fi module is utilized, the vehicle display device mayobtain the position of the vehicle display device based on informationof a wireless access point (AP) which transmits and receives wirelesssignals with the Wi-Fi module. If necessary, the position informationmodule 115 may perform a function of another module of the wirelesstransceiver 110 to alternatively or additionally obtain data on theposition of the vehicle display device. As a module used to obtain aposition (or a current position) of the vehicle display device, theposition information module 115 is not limited to a module whichdirectly calculates or obtains the position of the vehicle displaydevice.

Next, the input interface 120 is provided to input video information (orsignals), audio information (or signals), data, or information inputtedfrom the user. In order to receive input of video information, thevehicle display device 100 may include one or more cameras 121. Thecamera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a movingimage obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or aphotographing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on thedisplay 151 or stored in the memory 170. Further, the plurality ofcameras 121 equipped in the vehicle display device 100 may be disposedto form a matrix structure, and a plurality of pieces of imageinformation having various angles or focal points may be inputted to thevehicle display device 100 through the cameras 121 that form the matrixstructure. Further, the cameras 121 may be disposed to have a stereostructure to obtain a left image and a right image to implement astereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 processes an external sound signal as electronicvoice data. The processed voice data may be utilized in various forms inaccordance with a function being performed by the vehicle display device100 (or an application program which is being executed). In someexamples, the microphone 122 may implement various noise removalalgorithms to remove noise generated during the process of receiving theexternal sound signal.

The user input interface 123 receives information from the user, andwhen the information is inputted through the user input interface 123,the controller 180 may control the operation of the vehicle displaydevice 100 so as to correspond to the inputted information. In someimplementations, the user input interface 123 may include a mechanicalinput interface (or a mechanical key, for example, a button located on afront, rear, or side surface of the vehicle display device 100, a domeswitch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like) and a touch type inputinterface. In some implementations, the touch type input interface mayinclude a graphical key, a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual keydisplayed on the touch screen via a software process, or may include atouch key disposed on a portion other than the touch screen. The virtualkey or the visual key may be displayed on the touch screen in variousshapes, and for example, may be formed by graphics, text, icons, video,or a combination thereof.

The sensor 140 senses at least one of information in the vehicle displaydevice, surrounding environment information around the vehicle displaydevice, or user information, and generates a sensing signalcorresponding to the information. The controller 180 may control thedriving or the operation of the vehicle display device 100 or performdata processing, functions, or operations related to the applicationprograms installed in the vehicle display device 100, based on thesensing signal. Representative sensors among the various sensors whichmay be included in the sensor 140 will be described in more detailbelow.

First, the proximity sensor 141 is a sensor which senses the presence ofan object approaching a predetermined sensing surface or nearby objects,using an electromagnetic field force or infrared ray without anymechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in aninternal area of the vehicle display device, which is enclosed by theabove-described touch screen, or in the vicinity of the touch screen.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 may include a transmission typephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, amirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequencyoscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, amagnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When thetouch screen is a capacitive type, the proximity sensor 141 may beconfigured to detect the proximity of the object with a change in theelectric field in accordance with the proximity of the object havingconductivity. In this case, the touch screen (or the touch sensor)itself may be classified as a proximity sensor.

For convenience of description, when an object approaches the touchscreen without contacting the touch screen, and it is recognized thatthe object is located above the touch screen, it is referred to as a“proximity touch.” When the object actually touches the touch screen, itis referred to as a “contact touch”. A position at which the objectproximately touches the touch screen refers to a position at which theobject vertically corresponds to the touch screen when the objectproximately touches the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 may sensea proximate touch and a proximate touch pattern (for example, aproximate touch distance, a proximate touch direction, a proximate touchspeed, a proximate touch time, a proximate touch position, a proximatetouch movement state, etc.). As described above, the controller 180 mayprocess data (or information) corresponding to the proximate touchoperation and the proximate touch pattern sensed by the proximity sensor141, and may further output visual information corresponding to theprocessed data on the touch screen. Furthermore, the controller 180 maycontrol the vehicle display device 100 to process different operationsor data (or information) depending on whether the touch on the samepoint on the touch screen is a proximity touch or a contact touch.

The touch sensor senses a touch (or a touch input) applied to the touchscreen (or the display 151) using at least one of various touch typessuch as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, anultrasonic type, and a magnetic field type.

For example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert a change of apressure which is applied to a specific portion of the touch screen, ora capacitance which is generated in a specific portion, into anelectrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect aposition and an area where a touch subject which applies a touch ontothe touch screen is touched on the touch sensor, and a capacitance atthe time of the touch. Here, the touch subject is an object whichapplies a touch to the touch sensor, and may include, for example, afinger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, and a pointer.

As described above, when there is a touch input to the touch sensor,corresponding signals are transmitted to a touch controller. The touchcontroller processes the signal(s) and then transmits corresponding datato the controller 180. By doing this, the controller 180 may confirmwhich area of the display 151 is touched. Here, the touch controller maybe a separate component from the controller 180, or may be thecontroller 180 itself.

The controller 180 may perform different control or the same controldepending on a type of a touch subject which touches the touch screen(or a touch key equipped other than the touch screen). Whether toperform the different control or the same control depending on the typeof touch subject may be determined in accordance with an operating stateof the vehicle display device 100 or an application program which isbeing executed.

The touch sensor and proximity sensor described above may, independentlyor in combination, sense various types of touches on the touch screen,such as a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi touch, a dragtouch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipetouch, or a hovering touch.

The ultrasonic sensor may recognize position information of a sensingobject using an ultrasonic wave. The controller 180 may calculate aposition of a wave generating source by information sensed by theoptical sensor and the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. A position ofthe wave generating source may be calculated using the property thatlight is much faster than an ultrasonic wave, that is, the time in whichlight reaches the optical sensor is much faster than the time in whichthe ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. More specifically,the position of the wave generating source may be calculated using atime difference of the time of arrival of the ultrasonic wave withrespect to light which serves as a reference signal.

As seen from the configuration of the input interface 120, the camera121 may include at least one of a camera sensor (for example, a CCD or aCMOS), a photo sensor (or an image sensor), or a laser sensor.

The camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined to sense a touch ofa sensing object for a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. The photosensor, which is laminated on a display element, is configured to scan amotion of a sensing object proximate to the touch screen. Morespecifically, the photo sensor is formed by mounting photo diodes andtransistors (TR) in rows/columns to scan contents which are disposed onthe photo sensor using an electrical signal that changes in accordancewith an amount of light applied to the photo diode. That is, the photosensor calculates coordinates of a sensing object in accordance with achanged amount of light, and position information of the sensing objectmay be obtained through the coordinates.

The display 151 displays (outputs) information processed in the vehicledisplay device 100. For example, the display 151 may display executionscreen information of an application program driven in the vehicledisplay device 100 and user interface (UI) and graphic user interface(GUI) information in accordance with the execution screen information.

Further, the display 151 may be configured as a stereoscopic displaywhich displays a stereoscopic image.

A three-dimensional display type such as a stereoscopic type (a glasstype), an autostereoscopic type (a glass-free type), a projection type(a holographic type) may be applied to the stereoscopic display.

The sound output interface 152 may include a speaker that may outputaudio data received from the wireless transceiver 110 or stored in thememory 170 in a call signal reception mode, a phone-call mode, arecording mode, a speech recognition mode, or a broadcasting receptionmode. The sound output interface 152 may also output a sound signalrelated to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound or amessage reception sound) performed in the vehicle display device 100.Such a sound output interface 152 may include, for example, a receiver,a speaker, and a buzzer.

The haptic module 153 may generate various tactile effects that can befelt by the user. A representative example of the tactile effectgenerated by the haptic module 153 may be vibration. For instance, thehaptic module 153 may include an actuator configured to generatevibration. An intensity and a pattern of the vibration generated in thehaptic module 153 may be controlled by the selection of the user or asetting of the controller 180. For example, the haptic module 153 maycompose different vibrations to output the composed vibrations, orsequentially output the different vibrations.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 153 generates varioustactile effects such as effects by a pin arrangement which verticallymoves to a contact skin surface, an injection force or a suction forceof air through an injection port or a suction port, grazing on a skinsurface, electrode contact, or stimulation of an electrostatic force oreffects of reproducing a cold or hot sensation using a heat absorbing orheat emitting element.

The haptic module 153 may not only transmit a tactile effect by directcontact, but may also be implemented to allow the user to feel a tactileeffect by muscular sensation of a finger or an arm. Two or more hapticmodules 153 may be provided in accordance with a configuration aspect ofthe vehicle display device 100.

The optical output interface 154 outputs a signal for notifyingoccurrence of an event using light of a light source of the vehicledisplay device 100. Examples of events generated in the vehicle displaydevice 100 may be message reception, call signal reception, missed call,alarm, schedule notification, email reception, and information receptionthrough an application.

The signal outputted from the optical output interface 154 isimplemented as the vehicle display device emits single color or aplurality of color light to a front surface or a rear surface. When thevehicle display device senses the event confirmation of the user, thesignal output may be completed.

The interface 160 serves as a passage with all external devices whichare connected to the vehicle display device 100. The interface 160receives data from the external device or is supplied with the powersource to transmit the power source to each component in the vehicledisplay device 100, or transmits data in the vehicle display device 100to the external device. For example, the interface 160 may include awired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wirelessdata port, a memory card port, a port which connects a device equippedwith an identification module, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a videoinput/output (I/O) port, an earphone port, etc.

In some implementations, the identification module is a chip in whichvarious information for authenticating a usage right of the vehicledisplay device 100 is stored and includes a user identification module(UIM), a subscriber identification module (SIM), and a universalsubscriber identity module (USIM). A device with an identificationmodule (hereinafter, “identification device”) may be manufactured as asmart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to theterminal through the I/O connector or interface 160.

The memory 170 may store a program for an operation of the controller180, or temporarily store input/output data (for example, a phone book,a message, a still image, a moving image, etc.). The memory 170 maystore data on a vibration or a sound of various patterns output when thetouch is inputted onto the touch screen.

The memory 170 may include at least one type of non-transitory storagemedium of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk(SSD) type, a silicon disk drive (SDD) type, a multimedia card microtype, and card type memories (for example, SD or XD memory and thelike), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory(SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmableread only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), amagnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The vehicledisplay device 100 may operate in association with a web storage whichperforms a storage function of the memory 170 on the Internet.

As described above, the controller 180 may control an operation relatedto the application program and an overall operation of the vehicledisplay device 100. For example, when the state of the vehicle displaydevice satisfies a predetermined condition, the controller 180 mayexecute or release a locking state which restricts an input of a controlcommand of a user for the applications.

Further, the controller 180 may perform control and processing relatedto voice call, data communication, and video call, or perform a patternrecognition process which recognizes a handwriting input or a picturedrawing input performed on the touch screen as a text or an image,respectively. Moreover, the controller 180 may control any one or acombination of a plurality of components described above to implementvarious embodiments which will be described below on the vehicle displaydevice 100 according to the present disclosure.

The display 151 may display (output) information processed in thevehicle display device 100. For example, the display 151 may displayexecution screen information of an application program driven in thevehicle display device 100 and user interface (UI) and graphic userinterface (GUI) information in accordance with the execution screeninformation.

The display 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display(LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), anorganic light emitting diode (OLED), a three-dimensional display (3Ddisplay), an electronic ink display (e-ink display), or other types offlexible displays.

Further, two or more displays 151 may be provided in accordance with animplementation type of the vehicle display device 100. In this case, aplurality of displays may be disposed to be spaced apart from each otheror integrally disposed on one surface of the vehicle display device 100or may be disposed on different surfaces.

The display 151 may include a touch sensor which senses a touch on thedisplay 151 so as to receive the control command by the touch method.Therefore, when the touch is made on the display 151, the touch sensorsenses the touch, and based on the touch the controller 180 generates acontrol command corresponding to the touch. Contents inputted by thetouch method may be letters or numbers, instructions in various modes,menu items which may be designated, or the like.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive a voice of the user, orother sounds. The microphone 122 is equipped in a plurality of locationsto receive stereo sounds.

The interface 160 serves as a passage through which the vehicle displaydevice 100 is connected to the external device. For example, theinterface 160 may be at least one of a connection terminal forconnection with other devices (for example, an earphone or an externalspeaker), a port for short-range communication (for example, an infraredport (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, etc.), or apower supply terminal for supplying a power to the vehicle displaydevice 100. The interface 160 may be implemented as a socket type whichaccommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module(SIM), a user identity module (UIM), and a memory card for informationstorage.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be provided in aterminal body. The antenna may be embedded in the terminal body orformed in a case. For example, the antenna which forms a part of thebroadcasting receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1 ) may be configured to bedrawn from the terminal body. Alternatively, the antenna may be formedas a film type to be attached onto an inner surface of a housing, or acase including a conductive material may serve as an antenna.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example state in which a vehicle displaydevice is mounted in a vehicle. FIG. 3 is a view showing an examplestate in which a vehicle display device is folded. FIG. 4 is a viewshowing an example state in which a vehicle display device is unfolded.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the vehicle display device 100 is mounted inthe indoor space of a vehicle 10, and is configured such that the areaof a display changes. In this regard, the vehicle display device 100includes a first frame 200, a second frame 300, and a flexible display400.

The first frame 200 is coupled at one end thereof to an interior member11 of the vehicle 10, and supports a portion (a first area 401) of theflexible display 400. The second frame 300 is coupled at one end thereofto the opposite end of the first frame 200 so as to be rotatable aboutthe one end of the second frame with respect to the first frame 200, andsupports the remaining portion (a second area 402) of the flexibledisplay 400.

Accordingly, the first frame 200 and the second frame 300 rotaterelative to each other at a preset angle in the state of being connectedto each other. Through this rotation operation, the flexible display 400may be folded or unfolded.

The flexible display 400 is disposed on one surface of the first frame200 and one surface of the second frame 300, and is configured to befoldable in the direction in which the opposite surface of the firstframe 200 and the opposite surface of the second frame 300 overlap eachother.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , the flexible display 400 is disposed onone surface of the first frame 200 and one surface of the second frame300 in the unfolded state. Accordingly, since the screen area of theflexible display 400 is relatively large, a user may recognizeinformation outputted through the relatively wide integrated screen ofthe flexible display 400.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the flexible display 400 may be folded in thedirection in which the opposite surface of the first frame 200 and theopposite surface of the second frame 300 overlap each other.Accordingly, the screen area of the flexible display 400 becomesrelatively small. However, the screen of the flexible display 400 may bedivided so as to display information in different directions. As such,the space occupied by the flexible display 400 in the interior of thevehicle may be reduced.

For example, a user may desire to obtain various pieces of informationthrough a relatively large screen. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 ,the user may first unfold the flexible display 400, and may then performmanipulation such that information such as driving information of thevehicle 10, surrounding environment information, and information on thecontent that the user is viewing or listening to are displayed on theflexible display 400.

Conversely, in order to concentrate more on driving, the user may desireto obtain only essential information, such as driving information of thevehicle 10, by minimizing the screen area of the flexible display 400.This is because the flexible display 400 unfolded as described above isincreasingly likely to block the field of vision of the user and todistract the attention of the user.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 , the user may fold the flexibledisplay 400 such that only essential information is displayed on theminimized screen.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 , in the folded state of the flexibledisplay 400, different types of information may be displayed in oppositedirections so that the user in the vehicle 10 and a person presentoutside the vehicle 10 are shown different information.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the flexibledisplay 400, which is disposed on one surface of the first frame 200 andone surface of the second frame 300, is foldable in the direction inwhich the opposite surface of the first frame 200 and the oppositesurface of the second frame 300 overlap each other. Thus, it may bepossible to optimally change the screen area of the flexible display 400according to the needs of the user.

Although the vehicle display device 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2 asbeing mounted to the dashboard of the vehicle 10 so as to protrudeupwards above the dashboard, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The vehicle display device 100 may be mounted in any of variousconfigurations in the interior of the vehicle 10. In one example, thevehicle display device 100 may be mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle10 so as to protrude downwards.

The first frame 200, the second frame 300, and the flexible display 400may be disposed in a housing, which corresponds to a case or a coverforming the external appearance of the vehicle display device 100. Inaddition, various electronic components may be disposed in the housing.

Particularly, a bezel structure may be formed along the edge of theflexible display 400. The bezel structure may be formed so as to beseparated into pieces at the portion corresponding to the connectionpart between the first frame 200 and the second frame 300, therebyavoiding interference with the first frame 200 and the second frame 300during folding and unfolding of the flexible display 400.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a vehicle displaydevice.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the vehicle display device 100 may furtherinclude an elastic part 500, which applies tension to the flexibledisplay 400 in a direction oriented toward the inside of the interiormember 11 when the flexible display 400 is unfolded.

The length of the flexible display 400, which is disposed on one surfaceof the first frame 200 and one surface of the second frame 300, may notbe exactly identical to the sum of the length of the first frame 200 andthe length of the second frame 300.

That is, while the length of the flexible display 400 in the foldedstate may correspond to the sum of the length of the first frame 200 andthe length of the second frame 300, the length of the flexible display400 in the unfolded state may not be identical to the sum of the lengthof the first frame 200 and the length of the second frame 300.

Accordingly, the flexible display 400 may not be securely supported bythe first frame 200 and the second frame 300 in the unfolded state, anda portion thereof may be wrinkled or crooked.

In some cases, the display function of the vehicle display device 100may not be smoothly implemented. For example, an image outputted throughthe flexible display 400 may be distorted.

Therefore, in the vehicle display device 100, in response to theflexible display 400 being unfolded, tension is applied to the flexibledisplay 400 in a direction oriented toward the inside of the interiormember 11, to thereby help to prevent the flexible display 400 frombeing wrinkled or crooked due to the difference in the length describedabove.

As such, in the vehicle display device 100, in response to the flexibledisplay 400 being unfolded, the elastic part 500 applies tension to theflexible display 400 so as to maintain the flatness of the surface ofthe flexible display 400. As a result, when the screen area of theflexible display 400 is changed, the display function of the flexibledisplay 400 may be consistently maintained.

In the vehicle display device 100, the elastic part 500 may include anelastic shaft 510, a moving body 520, a connector 530, and an elasticbody 540.

The elastic shaft 510 is a part that protrudes from one end of the firstframe 200 and is mounted in the interior member 11. The elastic shaft510 may guide the direction in which tension is applied to the flexibledisplay 400.

The moving body 520 is configured to apply tension to the flexibledisplay 400 while moving in the longitudinal direction of the elasticshaft 510. Thus, tension may be applied to the flexible display 400 in adirection parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elastic shaft510.

The moving body 520 is a part that is coupled to the elastic shaft 510so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the elastic shaft510. Movement of the moving body 520 in directions other than thelongitudinal direction of the elastic shaft 510 may be restrained, andthus the direction in which tension is applied to the flexible display400 may be set as described above.

The connector 530 is a part that connects the flexible display 400 andthe moving body 520 to each other. When the moving body 520 moves asdescribed above, tension may be transmitted to the flexible display 400connected to the moving body 520 via the connector 530.

The elastic body 540 is a part that is interposed between one end of thefirst frame 200 and the moving body 520 so as to apply elastic force tothe moving body 520 with respect to the one end of the first frame 200.That is, the elastic body 540 may bias the moving body 520 away from theone end of the first frame 200 using the elastic force thereof. Thereby,the moving body 520 may be moved.

Accordingly, the moving body 520 may be moved in the longitudinaldirection of the elastic shaft 510 by the elastic force of the elasticbody 540, and the connector 530 connected to the moving body 520 maypull the flexible display 400. In this manner, tension may be applied tothe flexible display 400.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100 of the presentdisclosure, the elastic part 500 may apply tension to the flexibledisplay 400 using the elastic force generated by the elastic shaft 510,the moving body 520, the connector 530, and the elastic body 540. As aresult, it may be possible to more stably apply tension to the flexibledisplay 400.

In the vehicle display device 100, a support bar 550 may be disposed atan end portion of the flexible display 400 in the width direction of theflexible display 400. The connector 530 may be coupled at one endthereof to the support bar 550, and may be coupled at the opposite endthereof to the moving body 520.

When the connector 530 pulls the flexible display 400 as describedabove, the flexible display 400 may be deformed or skewed by eccentricforce in response to tension being applied to only a specific portion ofthe flexible display 400.

Therefore, the support bar 550, which is formed in a tubular or rodconfiguration, may be coupled to the end portion of the flexible display400 in the width direction of the flexible display 400, and theconnector 530 may pull the support bar 550. As such, it may be possibleto avoid application of eccentric force to a specific portion of theflexible display 400.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the elastic part500 applies tension to the flexible display 400 by pulling the supportbar 550 disposed at the end portion of the flexible display 400 in thewidth direction of the flexible display 400. As a result, the tensionapplied to the end portion of the flexible display 400 may be evenlydispersed in the width direction of the flexible display 400.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example arrangement of the first frame andthe second frame in a vehicle display device.

As shown in FIG. 7 , in the vehicle display device 100, the first frame200 may protrude upwards above the surface of the interior member 11,and the second frame 300 may be disposed so as not to be parallel to thefirst frame 200. For instance, the first frame 200 may be inclined withrespect to the second frame 300.

That is, in the process of changing the screen area through theabove-described folding and unfolding of the flexible display 400, theflexible display 400 may be folded up to an angle at which the oppositesurface of the first frame 200 and the opposite surface of the secondframe 300 may not contact each other. Accordingly, the angle formedbetween the first frame 200 and the second frame 300 may vary within arange greater than 0° and equal to or less than 180°.

In response to the opposite surface of the first frame 200 and theopposite surface of the second frame 300 closely contacting each other,i.e. becoming parallel to each other (wherein the angle therebetween is0°), the curvature with which the boundary area between the first area401 and the second area 402 of the flexible display 400 is foldedgreatly increases. Accordingly, stress may be concentrated on the foldedportion of the flexible display 400, which may damage or deform thesame.

In some examples, in response to the flexible display 400 being foldedup to an angle at which the opposite surface of the first frame 200 andthe opposite surface of the second frame 300 may not contact each other,the curvature with which the boundary area between the first area 401and the second area 402 of the flexible display 400 is folded relativelydecreases, and the amount of stress concentrated on the folded portionof the flexible display 400 may thus be reduced.

Accordingly, the flexible display 400 is less likely to be damaged ordeformed. In addition, the above-described function of displayinginformation to the inside and the outside of the vehicle 10 may still besmoothly implemented.

As described above, the vehicle display device 100 may be configuredsuch that the first frame 200 protrudes upwards above the surface of theinterior member 11 and such that the second frame 300 is disposed so asnot to be parallel to the first frame 200 to thereby avoid the flexibledisplay 400 being excessively folded, and to consequently minimize orreduce damage thereto or deterioration in the function thereof.

The vehicle display device 100 may further include a first hinge 600,which is interposed between the first frame 200 and the second frame 300so as to connect the second frame 300 to the first frame 200. The firsthinge 600 serves to adjust a coupling angle between the second frame 300and the first frame 200.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first frame 200 and the second frame300 are connected to each other via the first hinge 600. The couplingangle between the first frame 200 and the second frame 300 may beadjusted through the rotation of the first hinge 600 relative to thefirst frame 200 and the rotation of the second frame 300 relative to thefirst hinge 600.

Due to the connecting structure using the first hinge 600, therotational degree of freedom of each component may increase above thatof the rotational degree when the first frame 200 and the second frame300 are directly connected to each other.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the angle betweenthe first frame 200 and the second frame 300 is adjusted using the firsthinge 600. As a result, it may be possible for the user to appropriatelyadjust the angle between the first frame 200 and the second frame 300according to the needs of the user.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing the first hinge of a vehicle displaydevice in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , in the vehicle display device 100, the firsthinge 600 may include a first gear 610, a second gear 620, a third gear630, and a fourth gear 640.

The first gear 610 may be mounted to the opposite end of the first frame200 such that the rotation angle thereof is restricted by the firstframe 200. The arrangement angle of the first frame 200 may be changedaccording to the rotation of the first gear 610.

The second gear 620 may be mounted to the one end of the second frame300 such that the rotation angle thereof is restricted by the secondframe 300. The arrangement angle of the second frame 300 may be changedaccording to the rotation of the second gear 620.

The third gear 630 may be engaged with the first gear 610 so as to berotatable with respect to the first gear 610. In some examples, thethird gear 630 and the first gear 610 may include threads engaged witheach other. The first gear 610 may be rotated in conjunction with therotation of the third gear 630.

The fourth gear 640 may be engaged both with the second gear 620 andwith the third gear 630 so as to transmit rotational force between thesecond gear 620 and the third gear 630. In some examples, fourth gear640 and the second gear 620 may include threads engaged with each other.The second gear 620 and the third gear 630 may be rotated in conjunctionwith the rotation of the fourth gear 640.

Due to this structure, even when only one of the first to fourth gears610 to 640 is rotated, all of the remaining ones thereof may be rotatedtogether therewith.

For example, the case in which external force is applied to the secondframe 300 in the state shown in FIG. 8 will be described below.

In response to external force being applied to the second frame 300, thesecond frame 300 is moved such that the arrangement angle of the secondframe 300 with respect to the first frame 200 increases, and theflexible display 400 is thus unfolded. Accordingly, the second gear 620mounted to the second frame 300 is rotated in the clockwise direction.

In response to the second gear 620 being rotated, the fourth gear 640engaged with the second gear 620 may be rotated in the counterclockwisedirection. The third gear 630 engaged with the fourth gear 640 may berotated in the clockwise direction according to the rotation of thefourth gear 640. As a result, according to the rotation of the thirdgear 630, rotational force in the counterclockwise direction is appliedto the first gear 610 engaged with the third gear 630.

As described above, in some implementations, where the first frame 200includes one end coupled to the interior member 11, the rotation of thefirst frame 200 may be restrained by the interior member 11. Therefore,although rotational force is applied to the first gear 610, the rotationof the first gear 610 is restrained, and thus the rotational forceapplied to the first gear 610 may reversely accelerate the clockwiserotation of the third gear 630.

Likewise, the counterclockwise rotation of the fourth gear 640 and theclockwise rotation of the second gear 620 may be sequentiallyaccelerated. As a result, the unfolding operation of the second frame300 may be further accelerated, and the second frame 300 may be changedto the state shown in FIG. 9 .

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the angle betweenthe first frame 200 and the second frame 300 is adjusted by therotational force transmitted through the first gear 610, the second gear620, the third gear 630, and the fourth gear 640, which constitute thefirst hinge 600. As a result, the angle between the first frame 200 andthe second frame 300 may be adjusted more smoothly and easily.

In the vehicle display device 100, the first hinge 600 may furtherinclude a first motor 650, which is coupled to the third gear 630 inorder to provide driving force to the third gear 630 to rotate the same.

In response to the third gear 630 being rotated by the driving force ofthe first motor 650, the first gear 610, the second gear 620, and thefourth gear 640 may be respectively rotated as described above, and thefolded state and the unfolded state of the flexible display 400 may beautomatically adjusted.

In particular, based on the operation of the first motor 650 beingcontrolled in stages by a controller, it is also possible to adjust, instages, the degree to which the flexible display 400 is folded orunfolded.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the angle betweenthe first frame 200 and the second frame 300 is automatically adjustedby the driving force supplied from the first motor 650 of the firsthinge 600. As a result, it may be possible to more easily adjust theangle between the first frame 200 and the second frame 300 without thenecessity of manual operation by the user.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a backplate and a magnet of a vehicle displaydevice.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the vehicle display device 100 may further includea backplate 410 and a magnet 660.

The backplate 410 may include a metallic part that is attached to therear surface of the flexible display 400 and is disposed on one surfaceof the first frame 200 and one surface of the second frame 300. Thebackplate 410 may support a specific portion of the rear surface of theflexible display 400 in a flat surface state.

In this case, the backplate 410 may also be formed of a flexiblematerial that is bendable so that the flexible display 400 is smoothlyfolded and unfolded.

The magnet 660 is mounted in the first hinge 600 in order to enableclose contact between the backplate 410 and the first hinge 600 usingthe magnetic force thereof. The magnet 660 may avoid the occurrence of agap between the backplate 410 and the first hinge 600 during a change inthe shape of the flexible display 400.

As described above, wrinkles or irregularities may occur in a portion ofthe flexible display 400 in the unfolded state, which may form a gapbetween the first hinge 600 and the portion of the flexible display 400that may not be fixedly attached to the first hinge 600 to change thecurvature thereof.

For this reason, the magnet 660 is mounted in the first hinge 600, andthe metallic backplate 410 is attached to the rear surface of theflexible display 400, thereby minimizing the occurrence of a gap betweenthe flexible display 400 and the first hinge 600 using the magneticforce of the magnet 660.

In particular, the magnetic force of the magnet 660 is effective inattracting the backplate 410, but may not obstruct the sliding movementof the backplate 410 in the longitudinal direction of the flexibledisplay 400, thus allowing the flexible display 400 to be smoothlyfolded and unfolded.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since themetallic backplate 410 attached to the rear surface of the flexibledisplay 400 is attracted to the first hinge 600 by the magnetic force ofthe magnet 660, it may be possible to avoid the occurrence of a gapbetween the flexible display 400 and the first hinge 600 during thechange in the screen area of the flexible display 400.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of operation of changing an angleat which the first frame protrudes upwards with respect to the surfaceof the interior member.

As shown in FIG. 11 , in the vehicle display device 100, the first frame200 is mounted such that the angle at which the first frame 200protrudes upwards with respect to the surface of the interior member 11(hereinafter, referred to as a “protruding angle”) is changeable. Theflexible display 400 may be unfolded in response to the protruding angleof the first frame 200 being equal to or greater than a preset value.

In this case, the preset value may be an arbitrary angular value that isseparately set by the user or set in advance in the process ofmanufacturing the vehicle display device 100. In practice, the presetvalue may be a value that is set to allow the unfolding operation of theflexible display 400 only when the vehicle display device 100 is beingused.

For example, when the user is not using the vehicle display device 100,the user may desire to minimize the amount of the flexible display 400that protrudes above the surface of the interior member 11 in order tohelp to prevent the field of vision of the user from being blocked or toavoid interference with other components.

In this case, the user may lay the vehicle display device 100 down byreducing the protruding angle of the first frame 200. Further, in thiscase, the flexible display 400 may not need to be unfolded.

In some cases, when the user desires to use the vehicle display device100 again, the user may make the first frame 200 protrude upwards byincreasing the protruding angle of the first frame 200.

Further, in response to the vehicle display device 100 protrudingupwards at a predetermined angle or greater, the flexible display 400may be naturally unfolded so as to increase user convenience.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since theflexible display 400 is unfolded when the protruding angle of the firstframe 200 with respect to the surface of the interior member 11 isadjusted to be equal to or greater than a preset value, it may bepossible to avoid interference between components during the change inthe screen area of the flexible display 400.

The vehicle display device 100 may further include a second hinge 700,which is interposed between the first frame 200 and the interior member11 so as to connect the first frame 200 to the interior member 11. Thesecond hinge 700 serves to adjust the coupling angle between the firstframe 200 and the interior member 11.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first frame 200 and the interiormember 11 are connected to each other via the second hinge 700. Thecoupling angle between the first frame 200 and the interior member 11may be adjusted through the rotation of the second hinge 700 relative tothe interior member 11 and the rotation of the first frame 200 relativeto the second hinge 700.

Due to the connecting structure using the second hinge 700, therotational degree of freedom of each component may increase above thatwhen the first frame 200 and the interior member 11 are directlyconnected to each other.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the angle betweenthe interior member 11 and the first frame 200 is adjusted using thesecond hinge 700. As a result, it may be possible for the user toappropriately adjust the angle between the interior member 11 and thefirst frame 200 according to the needs of the user.

In the vehicle display device 100, the second hinge 700 may include afifth gear 710, a sixth gear 720, and a second motor 730.

The fifth gear 710 may be mounted in the interior member 11. The fifthgear 710 may be mounted such that the movement thereof in all directionsis restrained, but the rotation thereof may not be restrained by theinterior member 11.

The sixth gear 720 may be mounted to the one end of the first frame 200such that the rotation angle thereof is restricted by the first frame200. The sixth gear 720 may be engaged with the fifth gear 710. In someexamples, the sixth gear 720 and the fifth gear 710 may include threadsengaged with each other. The arrangement angle of the first frame 200may be changed according to the rotation of the sixth gear 720. Further,the sixth gear 720 may be rotated in conjunction with the rotation ofthe fifth gear 710.

The second motor 730 may be coupled to the fifth gear 710 in order toprovide driving force to the fifth gear 710 to rotate the same. When thefifth gear 710 is rotated by the driving force of the second motor 730,the sixth gear 720 may be rotated, and the rotation angle of the firstframe 200 may be automatically adjusted.

In particular, based on the operation of the second motor 730 beingcontrolled in stages by the controller, it is also possible to adjust instages the rotation angle of the first frame 200.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, the angle betweenthe interior member 11 and the first frame 200 is adjusted by the fifthgear 710, the sixth gear 720, and the second motor 730, which constitutethe second hinge 700. As a result, it may be possible to more smoothlyand easily adjust the angle between the interior member 11 and the firstframe 200.

In the vehicle display device 100, the second hinge 700 may furtherinclude a limiter 740 for limiting the rotation angle of the first frame200. For instance, the limiter 740 may be a protrusion.

As described above, when the vehicle display device 100 is made toprotrude upwards so as to be used, the first frame 200 may not berotated so far that the vehicle display device 100 is laid down in theopposite direction.

In response to the amount of the vehicle display device 100 thatprotrudes upwards above the interior member 11 increasing, the screenarea of the flexible display 400, through which the user is capable ofvisually recognizing information, increases. Therefore, it is necessaryto limit the rotation angle of the first frame 200 within apredetermined range.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 11 , the limiter 740 is mounted in orderto help to prevent the first frame 200 from being laid down in theopposite direction, thereby allowing the optimal state of use of thevehicle display device 100 to be maintained.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since therotation angle of the first frame 200 is limited by the limiter 740 ofthe second hinge 700, it may be possible to avoid the first frame 200being rotated in an unnecessary direction and thus help to preventdeterioration in the usability of the vehicle display device 100.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example configuration in which a portion ofthe flexible display 400 is wound on the first frame in a vehicledisplay device.

In the vehicle display device 100, the flexible display 400 may bedisposed such that at least a portion thereof is wound on the firstframe 200.

As described above, the length of the flexible display 400 may not beexactly identical to the sum of the length of the first frame 200 andthe length of the second frame 300. Therefore, the length of a portionof the flexible display 400 may need to be adjusted in the folding andunfolding operation.

Further, during the use of the vehicle display device 100, there may beother cases outside of the unfolding operation in which the screen areaof the flexible display 400 needs to be additionally increased.

Therefore, it may be desirable for the flexible display 400 to have anextra portion that has a predetermined length. In this case, the extraportion of the flexible display 400 needs to be disposed so as to avoidexposure to the outside when not in use.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100 of the presentdisclosure, since at least a portion of the flexible display 400 iswound on the first frame 200, it may be possible to secure an extraportion of the flexible display 400, thereby further increasing thescreen area of the flexible display 400.

In the vehicle display device 100, the first frame 200 may include aroller 210, which is disposed at the one end of the first frame 200 andis configured such that at least a portion of the flexible display 400is wound thereon. That is, as shown in FIG. 12 , the extra portion ofthe flexible display 400 may be stored in the state of being wound onthe roller 210 disposed at the one end of the first frame 200.

As described above, the extra portion of the flexible display 400 needsto be disposed so as to avoid exposure to the outside when not in use.In some cases, where the extra portion of the flexible display 400 isstored by being inserted into the interior member 11, a relatively largestorage space for the flexible display 400 may be necessary, or theflexible display 400 may interfere with other components of the vehicle10.

Therefore, in some implementations, the extra portion of the flexibledisplay 400 is wound on the roller 210 in order to overcome limitationsassociated with storage space and interference between components.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since at least aportion of the flexible display 400 is wound on the roller 210 disposedat the one end of the first frame 200, it may be possible to easilystore the extra portion of the flexible display 400.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of movement of the first frame of avehicle display device. FIG. 14 is a view showing the first frame of avehicle display device in more detail.

In the vehicle display device 100, a portion of the first frame 200 maybe inserted into the interior member 11, and the portion of the firstframe 200 may be moved so as to be exposed to the outside of theinterior member 11 when the flexible display 400 is unfolded.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13 , the one end of the first frame 200 may bemounted so as to be inserted into the interior member 11. In the foldedstate of the flexible display 400, the insertion depth of the one end ofthe first frame 200 may be maximized in order to minimize the protrudingheight of the flexible display 400 when not in use.

In some implementations, when the flexible display 400 is unfolded to beused, the portion of the first frame 200 that is inserted into theinterior member 11 may be moved so as to be exposed to the outside ofthe interior member 11 in order to maximize the screen area of theflexible display 400.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since the portionof the first frame 200 that is inserted into the interior member 11 isexposed to the outside of the interior member 11 when the flexibledisplay 400 is unfolded, it may be possible to further increase theheight that the flexible display 400 protrudes upwards above the surfaceof the interior member 11 when unfolded.

Further, in the vehicle display device 100, the portion of the flexibledisplay 400 that is wound on the roller 210 may be spread correspondingto the movement of the first frame 200.

That is, when the above-described inserted portion of the first frame200 is exposed to the outside of the interior member 11, the extraportion of the flexible display 400 that is wound on the roller 210 maybe spread corresponding thereto, thereby additionally increasing thescreen area of the flexible display 400.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since the extraportion of the flexible display 400 that is wound on the roller 210 isspread corresponding to the exposure of the first frame 200 to theoutside of the interior member 11, it may be possible to additionallyincrease the screen area of the flexible display 400 when the flexibledisplay 400 is unfolded.

In the vehicle display device 100, the first frame 200 may include anascending/descending body 220 and a linear actuator 310.

The ascending/descending body 220 may be coupled to the one end of thefirst frame 200 inside the interior member 11. As shown in FIG. 14 , theascending/descending body 220 may be moved in the vertical direction,and may move the first frame 200. In some examples, theascending/descending body may be referred to as an inner body.

The linear actuator 310 may be formed in the direction in which thefirst frame 200 moves inside the interior member 11. The linear actuator310 may provide a movement path of the ascending/descending body 220,and may transmit driving force to the ascending/descending body 220 tomove the same. As shown in FIG. 14 , the linear actuator 310 may movethe ascending/descending body 220 in the vertical direction.

Specifically, the linear actuator 310 includes a first screw shaft 311,a first slider 312, and a third motor 313. The linear actuator 310 mayfurther include a second screw shaft 314, a second slider 315, and aninterlocking belt 316.

The first screw shaft 311 may be formed to be elongated in the verticaldirection, and may have threads formed in the outer circumferentialsurface thereof. The first screw shaft 311 may be rotatably coupled tothe interior member 11.

The first screw shaft 311 may be configured to rotate about a firstrotation axis 51, which is parallel to the vertical direction.

The first slider 312 may be secured to the ascending/descending body220, and may be engaged with the first screw shaft 311. In someexamples, the first slider 312 and the first screw shaft 311 may includethreads engaged with each other. The threaded engagement between thefirst screw shaft 311 and the first slider 312 may be realized in amanner such that the first screw shaft 311 penetrates the first slider312.

The first slider 312 may be formed in a female thread type so as to beengaged with the first screw shaft 311. The first slider 312 may move inthe vertical direction during the rotation of the first screw shaft 311.That is, during the rotation of the first screw shaft 311, the firstslider 312 may move upwards or downwards, and accordingly, theascending/descending body 220 may move upwards or downwards with respectto the interior member 11.

The third motor 313 may be configured to rotate the first screw shaft311.

The third motor 313 may be formed as a typical motor, which is rotatedvia electrical energy. For example, the third motor 313 may be formed asa step motor.

The third motor 313 may be secured to the interior member 11.

The third motor 313 may be configured to rotate the first screw shaft311. To this end, there may be provided a gear 313 a, which is coupledto the rotary shaft of the third motor 313 so as to be rotated togethertherewith, and a gear 311 a, which is disposed coaxially with the firstscrew shaft 311 and meshes with the gear 313 a so as to be rotatedtogether therewith.

The second screw shaft 314 may be formed to be elongated in the verticaldirection, and may have threads formed in the outer circumferentialsurface thereof. The second screw shaft 314 may be rotatably coupled tothe interior member 11.

The second screw shaft 314 may be configured to rotate about a secondrotation axis S2, which is parallel to the vertical direction.

The second screw shaft 314 may be disposed parallel to the first screwshaft 311.

The second slider 315 may be secured to the ascending/descending body220, and may be engaged with the second screw shaft 314. In someexamples, the second slider 315 and the second screw shaft 314 mayinclude threads engaged with each other. The threaded engagement betweenthe second screw shaft 314 and the second slider 315 may be realized ina manner such that the second screw shaft 314 penetrates the secondslider 315.

The second slider 315 may be formed in a female thread type so as to beengaged with the second screw shaft 314. The second slider 315 may movein the vertical direction during the rotation of the second screw shaft314. That is, during the rotation of the second screw shaft 314, thesecond slider 315 may move upwards or downwards, and accordingly, theascending/descending body 220 may move upwards or downwards with respectto the interior member 11.

The interlocking belt 316 may connect the first screw shaft 311 and thesecond screw shaft 314 to each other so that the first screw shaft 311and the second screw shaft 314 rotate in conjunction with each other. Tothis end, a first pulley 311 b may be coupled to the lower end of thefirst screw shaft 311, a second pulley 314 a may be coupled to the lowerend of the second screw shaft 314, and the interlocking belt 316 may besuspended on the first pulley 311 b and the second pulley 314 a.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first screw shaft 311and the second screw shaft 314 may be formed so as to be identical toeach other, or may be symmetric to each other with respect to theascending/descending body 220, and the first slider 312 and the secondslider 315 may be formed so as to be identical to each other, or may besymmetrical to each other with respect to the ascending/descending body220. Further, the first pulley 311 b and the second pulley 314 a mayhave the same size.

Accordingly, during the rotation of the third motor 313, the first screwshaft 311 and the second screw shaft 314 may rotate at the same speed,and the first slider 312 and the second slider 315 may move at the samespeed in the same direction. Thus, the left side and the right side ofthe ascending/descending body 220 may move upwards and downwards in abalanced manner.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since the firstframe 200 is moved into and out of the interior member 11 by theascending/descending body 220 and the linear actuator 310, it may bepossible to more smoothly and easily move the first frame 200.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the vehicle display device 100, the inputinterface 120 and the output interface 150 may be disposed in the firstarea 401 of the flexible display 400.

Specifically, the input interface 120 is a part into which the user inthe vehicle 10 inputs information, and the output interface 150 is apart from which information is outputted to the user in the vehicle 10.Since a detailed description of the input interface 120 and the outputinterface 150 has been made above, further description thereof will beomitted.

The flexible display 400 may include a first area 401, which issupported by the first frame 200, and a second area 402, which extendsfrom the first area 401 and is supported by the second frame 300.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first area 401 of theflexible display 400 may be disposed to face the user in the vehicle 10,and the second area 402 of the flexible display 400 may be disposed toface the outside of the vehicle 10.

Therefore, in order for the user to input specific information to thevehicle display device 100 or confirm specific information from thevehicle display device 100, the input interface 120 and the outputinterface 150 may be disposed in the first area 401 of the flexibledisplay 400.

As described above, in the vehicle display device 100, since the inputinterface 120 and the output interface 150 are disposed in the firstarea 401 of the flexible display 400, which is supported by the firstframe 200, the user is capable of more efficiently using the inputinterface 120 and the output interface 150.

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of thepresent disclosure, all such and other modifications and variationsthereto as would be apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed tofall within the broad scope and ambit of this disclosure as is hereinset forth. Accordingly, such modifications or variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure, and it is intended that the present disclosure cover themodifications and variations of this disclosure provided they comewithin the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device for a vehicle, the displaydevice being configured to be mounted in an indoor space of the vehicleand to change a display area, the display device comprising: a firstframe having a first end configured to be coupled to an interior memberof the vehicle; a second frame having a first end coupled to a secondend of the first frame, the second frame being configured to be rotateabout the second end of the first frame; a flexible display disposed ata first surface of the first frame and a first surface of the secondframe, the flexible display being configured to fold to allow a secondsurface of the first frame opposite to the first surface of the firstframe to overlap with a second surface of the second frame opposite tothe first surface of the second frame; and an elastic part configuredto, based on the flexible display being unfolded, apply tension to theflexible display in a direction along the first surface of the firstframe and the first surface of the second frame; wherein the first frameprotrudes upward relative to a surface of the interior member of thevehicle, and wherein the second frame is configured to be inclined withrespect to the first frame.
 2. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe flexible display is configured to, based on the flexible displaybeing unfolded, define a display plane that is flat and extends alongthe first surface of the first frame and the first surface of the secondframe, and wherein the elastic part is configured to apply the tensionto the display plane of the flexible display in a direction parallel tothe display plane based on the flexible display being unfolded.
 3. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the elastic part comprises: anelastic shaft that protrudes from the first end of the first frame intoan inside of the interior member of the vehicle; a moving body coupledto the elastic shaft and configured to move in a longitudinal directionof the elastic shaft; a connector that connects the flexible display andthe moving body to each other; and an elastic body disposed between thefirst end of the first frame and the moving body and configured to applyelastic force to the moving body.
 4. The display device of claim 3,further comprising a support bar that is disposed at an end portion ofthe flexible display and extends along a width direction of the flexibledisplay, wherein the connector has an end coupled to the support bar andanother end coupled to the moving body.
 5. The display device of claim1, further comprising a first hinge that is disposed between the firstframe and the second frame and connects the second frame to the firstframe, the first hinge being configured to rotate to adjust a couplingangle between the second frame and the first frame.
 6. The displaydevice of claim 5, wherein the first hinge comprises: a first geardisposed at the second end of the first frame, the first frame beingconfigured to restrict rotation of the first gear; a second geardisposed at the first end of the second frame, the second frame beingconfigured to restrict rotation of the second gear; a third gear engagedwith the first gear and configured to rotate relative to the first gear;and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear and the third gear, thefourth gear being configured to transmit rotational force between thesecond gear and the third gear.
 7. The display device of claim 6,wherein the first hinge further comprises a first motor coupled to thethird gear and configured to provide driving force to the third gear. 8.The display device of claim 5, further comprising: a metallic backplatethat is attached to a rear surface of the flexible display and faces thefirst surface of the first frame and the first surface of the secondframe; and a magnet disposed at the first hinge and configured toprovide magnetic force to attach the metallic backplate to the firsthinge.
 9. The display device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion ofthe first frame is configured to protrude from a surface of the interiormember of the vehicle, wherein a protruding angle of the first framewith respect to the surface of the interior member is configured tovary, and wherein the flexible display is configured to be unfolded inresponse to the protruding angle of the first frame being greater thanor equal to a preset value.
 10. The display device of claim 9, furthercomprising a second hinge that is disposed between the first frame andthe interior member and connects the first frame to the interior member,the second hinge being configured to rotate to adjust a coupling anglebetween the first frame and the interior member.
 11. The display deviceof claim 10, wherein the second hinge comprises: a fifth gear disposedat the interior member; a sixth gear disposed at the first end of thefirst frame and engaged with the fifth gear, the first frame beingconfigured to restrict rotation of the sixth gear; and a second motorcoupled to the fifth gear and configured to provide driving force to thefifth gear.
 12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the second hingefurther comprises a limiting protrusion configured to limit rotation ofthe first frame.
 13. The display device of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the flexible display is configured to be wound around thefirst frame.
 14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the first framecomprises a roller disposed at the first end of the first frame, andwherein at least the portion of the flexible display is wound around theroller.
 15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the first framecomprises a portion that is configured to be inserted into the interiormember and to be exposed to an outside of the interior member based onthe flexible display being unfolded.
 16. The display device of claim 15,wherein at least the portion of the flexible display is configured to beunwound from the roller based on movement of the first frame.
 17. Thedisplay device of claim 16, wherein the first frame comprises: an innerbody that is coupled to the first end of the first frame and disposedinside the interior member, the inner body being configured to move thefirst frame upward and downward relative to the interior member; and alinear actuator that extends along a movement direction of the firstframe relative to the interior member and defines a movement path of theinner body, the linear actuator being configured to transmit drivingforce to the inner body.
 18. The display device of claim 1, furthercomprising: an input interface configured to receive input from a userin the vehicle; and an output interface configured to output informationto the user in the vehicle, wherein the flexible display comprises afirst area supported by the first frame and a second area that extendsfrom the first area and is supported by the second frame, and whereinthe input interface and the output interface are disposed at positionscorresponding to the first area of the flexible display.
 19. The displaydevice of claim 18, wherein the input interface comprises a touch key ora virtual key configured to be displayed by the flexible display.